Heartbroken parents pay tribute to ‘wonderful’ young Irishman who died while jogging in Australia

The 26-year-old was due to fly home for the first time in two years just over a week before the tragedy occurred

A devastated family have told how they are “beyond heartbroken” after a young Irish man passed away suddenly in Australia.

Jamie Colbourne, who celebrated his 26th birthday just last month, died last Wednesday (August 27) after collapsing while out jogging in Perth, where he had been living and working.

Jamie, from Lisreagh in Co Cavan, had been due to travel home to Ireland for the first time in two years just 11 days after the tragedy occurred.

The young man’s heartbroken parents have paid an emotional tribute to their son as they prepare to fly to Australia to bring his body back home to Cavan.

In a statement, they said: “Our beautiful son Jamie, just turned 26 on 16th August, passed from earth in Perth Australia on the 27th August, 2025. It was sudden and quick, no crime or accident involved, he just collapsed while out jogging. We are all beyond heartbroken.

“He was loved to bits by everyone that had the pleasure of crossing his path – here in Ireland, over in Western Australia and in New Zealand. He was ambitious, passionate, funny, weird, tremendous, wonderful, beautiful, hilarious, amazing, fun, and bold. He was an extraordinary young man.

“He will be deeply missed and his memory cherished by his family and friends everywhere, especially we, his parents, David and Elena, and his siblings Matthew, Donna, Ciarán and Seán, his aunts and uncles Attracta, Des, Ian, Irene, Bernie and Trish, and his cousins Aoife, Rachel, Katie and Shane.

“We are flying to Australia in a few days to bring him home.”

The Irish Mirror reports that Jamie’s sudden death has sent shockwaves through the local community in his hometown of Lisreagh and his adopted home in Perth, with friends, neighbours and acquaintances remembering the popular young man as “a truly lovely person”.

The 26-year-old was a former pupil at Crubany National School in Cavan, with past principal Antonia Hayes paying tribute tribute to Jamie online.

“Shocked and saddened to hear of Jamie’s sudden and untimely passing,” she said. I can still see him in front of me in Crubany N.S., always smiling, cheerful and full of fun. Also on his many scouting trips with Oisín.

“May his youthful soul rest in peace. Our deepest sympathies Elena, David, Donna, Ciarán, Seán and all his extended family and many friends. Thinking of you all at this devastating time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilís.”

Jamie spent time working as a manager at Oranmore Lodge Hotel in Co Galway before he moved to Australia, with his former colleagues remembering him as a “wonderful person” and “a great work mate”.

One former co-worker said: “Sincere sympathies to the family of James. It was a great pleasure working with James in the Oranmore Lodge Hotel, where he will always be remembered as a truly lovely person and an excellent, approachable supervisor and reservations manager.

“His kindness and warmth made a lasting impression and I will always remember him fondly as the wonderful person he was. Rest in Peace.”

While another added: “To Elena and David, and his siblings Matthew, Donna, Ciarán and Seán, his aunt and uncle Attracta, Des, I am so sorry to hear about Jamie passing, had the great pleasure of working with him in the Oranmore Lodge hotel were he was and will always be remembered as lovely person and a great work mate.

“I know he will looking down on us with one of his warm smiles, may his soul find peace now. Mike Whyte Fuerty and Oranmore Lodge hotel.”

Jamie’s family have launched a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising €18,000 for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, who are assisting the family in bringing his body back home to Ireland to be buried.

The fundraiser was set-up by Jamie’s sister Donna, who wrote on the GoFundMe page: “My brother Jamie passed away suddenly in Perth Australia, on 27th August while just out for a run. He was supposed to be coming home for the first time in 2 years only 11 days later.

“We are beyond heartbroken. He was so full of life and if there’s one thing we can say, it’s that he really lived his life to the fullest. He will be deeply missed by his many friends and family both here in Ireland and overseas.

“We have been overwhelmed (by)love and support and for everyone who has asked what they can do, this is something you can do. We are flying to Perth W.A. to bring Jamie home, with the generous help of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT).

“We ask you to give whatever you can, to help us with this process and so that we in turn can help KBRT to continue their amazing work, to help the next family who receives such life changing news.”

Those who would like to make a donation can visit the GoFundMe page here.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.